Aggies Insider: A&M comfortable handing reins to Manziel

Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel (right) will be playing in his first game since high school when the Aggies make their SEC debut Saturday against Florida.

Photo By Edward A. Ornelas/San Antonio Express-News

After weeks of fielding questions about who he planned to start at quarterback, Texas A&M coach Kevin Sumlin chose freshman Johnny Manziel, former Kerrville Tivy quarterback and the 2010 Express-News Offensive Player of the Year. Manziel threw for 3,609 yards and rushed for another 1,674 as a Tivy senior in 2010. Here's a look back at his high school career.

Photo By Kin Man Hui/San Antonio Express-News

Kerrville-Tivy's Johnny Manziel (03) fights off a tackle from Burbank's Mario Trejo (right) during their game at SAISD Sports Complex on November 14, 2008.

Photo By Express-News file photo

Tivy quarterback Johnny Manziel stiff-arms Ethan Rapp as he tries to get to the outside in the second half of their playoff game Friday, November 21, 2008 at Comalander Stadium. Tivy held off the Tigers, 14-6.

Photo By Express-News file photo

Tivy's Johnny Manziel is brought down after making a catch by Trever Garcia in the first half Friday, November 28, 2008 at Comalander Stadium.

Kerrville Tivy's Johnny Manziel tires to shake the tackle of Dayton's Cameron Lacour during second half action of the Class 4A Division II state seminfinal Saturday Dec. 13, 2008 at Georgetown High School stadium in Georgetown, Tx. Dayton won 31-28.

Photo By Edward A. Ornelas/San Antonio Express-News

Kerrville Tivy's Johnny Manziel misses a pass as he is defended by Dayton's Cameron Lacour during second half action of the Class 4A Division II state seminfinal Saturday Dec. 13, 2008 at Georgetown High School stadium in Georgetown, Tx. Dayton won 31-28.

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Knight defenders Shane Huhn (9) and Jake Hatcher put the brakes on a run by Antler quarterback Johnny Manziel in the first half as Steele plays Kerrville Tivy at Lehnhoff Stadium in Schertz on Friday, October 23, 2009.

Photo By Tom Reel/San Antonio Express-News

Antler quarterback Johnny Manziel jumps over a tackler on the sideline as he leads Kerrville Tivy to a 38-34 victory at Lehnhoff Stadium in Schertz on Friday, October 23, 2009.

Photo By Tom Reel/San Antonio Express-News

Antler quarterback Johnny Manziel sprints threw the Knight defense to bring his team into scoring position as Kerrville Tivy upsets Steele 38-34 at Lehnhoff Stadium in Schertz on Friday, October 23, 2009.

Johnny Manziel hands off to Sonny Guzardo. 2009 Holiday River Parade in San Antonio on Nov. 27, 2009.

Photo By Kin Man Hui/San Antonio Express-News

Kerrville-Tivy's Johnny Manziel (03) runs in for a touchdown against Calhoun during their Class 4A Div. II state quarterfinal game at Heroes Stadium on Friday, Dec. 4, 2009.

Photo By Kin Man Hui/San Antonio Express-News

Kerrville-Tivy's Johnny Manziel (03) takes off running ahead a trio of Calhoun defenders on his way to a touchdown during their Class 4A Div. II state quarterfinal game at Heroes Stadium on Friday, Dec. 4, 2009.

Photo By Kin Man Hui/San Antonio Express-News

Kerrville-Tivy's Johnny Manziel throws on the run against Calhoun in Class 4A Div. II state quarterfinal football game at Heroes Stadium on Friday, Dec. 4, 2009.

Photo By Kin Man Hui/San Antonio Express-News

Kerrville-Tivy's Johnny Manziel (03) attempts a pass on the run against Calhoun's Nick McCrory (19) during their Class 4A Div. II state quarterfinal game at Heroes Stadium on Friday, Dec. 4, 2009.

Photo By Kin Man Hui/San Antonio Express-News

Kerrville-Tivy Johnny Manziel (left) signals his own touchdown against Calhoun in Class 4A Div. II state quarterfinal football game at Heroes Stadium on Friday, Dec. 4, 2009.

Photo By Kin Man Hui/San Antonio Express-News

Kerrville-Tivy's Johnny Manziel (center) gets picked up by teammates after he scored a one-yard touchdown against Calhoun in Class 4A Div. II state quarterfinal football game at Heroes Stadium on Friday, Dec. 4, 2009.

Photo By Kin Man Hui/San Antonio Express-News

Kerrville-Tivy's Johnny Manziel (left) consoles teammate Braedon White as Brenham defeated the Antlers in the 4A football state semifinals in Georgetown, Texas on Saturday, Dec. 12, 2009. Tivy lost 31-21.

Photo By Kin Man Hui/San Antonio Express-News

Kerrville-Tivy struck early with a 79-yard strike to Johnny Manziel (03) against Brenham's Robert Felder (07) in the first quarter in the 4A football state semifinals in Georgetown, Texas on Saturday, Dec. 12, 2009. Tivy lost 31-21.

Photo By Kin Man Hui/San Antonio Express-News

Kerrville-Tivy's Johnny Manziel (03) attempts a pass against Brenham's Michael Walker (15) in the 4A football state semifinals in Georgetown, Texas on Saturday, Dec. 12, 2009. Tivy lost 31-21.

Photo By Kin Man Hui/San Antonio Express-News

Kerrville-Tivy's Johnny Manziel gets a long yardage run against Brenham in the 4A football state semifinals in Georgetown, Texas on Saturday, Dec. 12, 2009. Tivy lost 31-21.

Photo By Kin Man Hui/San Antonio Express-News

Kerrville-Tivy's Johnny Manziel (right) gets hauled down by Brenham's Blake Sander during the 4A football state semifinals in Georgetown, Texas on Saturday, Dec. 12, 2009. Tivy lost 31-21.

Photo By Billy Calzada/San Antonio Express-News

Johnny Manziel, senior quarterback at Kerrville Tivy High School, is the boys' offensive player of the year. 2009.

Photo By Billy Calzada/San Antonio Express-News

Johnny Manziel, a senior at Kerrville Tivy High School, is the boys' offensive player of the year. 2009.

Portrait of Johnny Manziel of Kerrville Tivy. The high school junior is the Express-News Boys Athlete of the Year for 2009-2010 for his accomplishments in football, baseball and golf. Manziel said for his senior year he's considering going out for basketball to round out his sports.

Photo By Tom Reel/San Antonio Express-News

Antler quarterback Johnny Manziel coils to throw a touchdown pass in the second quarter as Steele plays Kerrville Tivy at Lehnhoff Stadium in Schertz on Friday, October 23, 2009.

Antler quarterback Johnny Manziel takes the ball right up the middle for a touchdown in the first quarter as Lake Travis hosts Kerville Tivy at Lake Travis Stadium on September 17, 2010.

Photo By Tom Reel/San Antonio Express-News

Tivy quarterback Johnny Manziel finds himself in a trap of Cavalier defenders as Lake Travis hosts Kerville Tivy at Lake Travis Stadium on September 17, 2010.

Photo By Tom Reel/San Antonio Express-News

Johnny Manziel gets a pass off on the run as Lake Travis hosts Kerville Tivy at Lake Travis Stadium on September 17, 2010.

Photo By Tom Reel/San Antonio Express-News

Tivy's Johnny Manziel quick shifts away from the field of pursuit as Lake Travis hosts Kerrville Tivy at Lake Travis Stadium on September 17, 2010.

Photo By Tom Reel/San Antonio Express-News

Kason Fornes struggles trying to get control of a pass from the Antler's Johnny Manziel as Zach Strueling moves in to break up the play as Lake Travis hosts Kerville Tivy at Lake Travis Stadium on September 17, 2010.

Photo By Tom Reel/San Antonio Express-News

Antler quarterback Johnny Manziel leaves behind a diving tackler in the fourth quarter on his team's last possession as Lake Travis beats Kerville Tivy 37-33 at Lake Travis Stadium on September 17, 2010.

Photo By Tom Reel/San Antonio Express-News

Johnny Manziel rolls for the Antlers as Lake Travis hosts Kerville Tivy at Lake Travis Stadium on September 17, 2010.

Photo By Tom Reel/San Antonio Express-News

Johnny Manziel gets loose from the grasp of Austin Williams in the second half as Lake Travis hosts Kerville Tivy at Lake Travis Stadium on September 17, 2010.

Photo By Tom Reel/San Antonio Express-News

Johnny Manziel runs in the open field in the second half as Lake Travis hosts Kerville Tivy at Lake Travis Stadium on September 17, 2010.

Portrait of Johnny Manziel of Kerrville Tivy. The high school junior is the Express-News Boys Athlete of the Year for 2009-2010 for his accomplishments in football, baseball and golf. Manziel said for his senior year he's considering going out for basketball to round out his sports. Kin Man Hui/kmhui@express-news.net

COLLEGE STATION — Thirteen years and a ton of football experience separate Kliff Kingsbury and Johnny Manziel, but one swaggering South Texas quarterback still recognizes another.

“He acts like it's his team,” Kingsbury said of Manziel. “And he's never played a (college) game.”

And Kingsbury, Texas A&M's offensive coordinator and one-time New Braunfels High and Texas Tech standout, appreciates Manziel's assertive approach to his college debut.

“You like his confidence,” Kingsbury said. “And you hope it translates.”

Manziel, a freshman out of Kerrville Tivy, is set to start for the Aggies on Saturday afternoon at Kyle Field. Oh, and in A&M's historic first Southeastern Conference game. In Kevin Sumlin's first game as A&M's coach. Against Florida, winner of two national titles over the past six seasons.

No worries here.

“Johnny has the feel of a kid who's always expected this moment,” said Kingsbury, who also spent three years in the NFL. “He's just one of those kids who has that type of vibe. That nothing is too big for him.”

Manziel, 19, last played in a game on Nov. 19, 2010, when Lake Travis toppled Tivy

48-42 in a Class 4A Division I second-round playoff game. He redshirted last season, then beat out sophomores Jameill Showers and Matt Joeckel in camp for the right to replace Ryan Tannehill, now starting for the Miami Dolphins.

Manziel also dealt with an offseason arrest in the Northgate bar district on charges of fighting and possessing fake licenses. Sumlin has said the matter was handled internally. With that setback apparently behind him on the football front, he's the young man tabbed to lead A&M into the rugged SEC.

“He's starting because he earned the right to start,” Sumlin said, adding that his new quarterback oozes confidence and leadership.

“(Of course) I haven't been around many shy quarterbacks who've won games,” Sumlin offered with a chuckle.

Manziel, who threw for 3,609 yards and rushed for another 1,674 his senior season at Tivy, separated himself from the pack at practice in large part because of his ability to make plays on the ground and through the air.

“He's a really good athlete and was an outstanding quarterback in high school,” Florida coach Will Muschamp said. “He's got legs and he throws it well.”

About those legs ...

“With Johnny's athleticism, if he breaks free he can get out and run,” Kingsbury said. “He's definitely the fastest guy I've (coached).”

Manziel (6-foot-1, 200 pounds) was supposed to get his legs wet last week against Louisiana Tech, but that game was postponed to Oct. 13 because of Hurricane Isaac. His debut instead comes against an imposing Gators' defense that ranked eighth nationally last season.

Sumlin doesn't allow freshmen who've yet to play to visit with the media, but Manziel reached out to A&M fans via Twitter shortly after he was named starting quarterback two weeks into camp.

“Just want to thank everyone for all of the tweets and encouragement,” he wrote. “I really am an incredibly fortunate and blessed individual.”